First Contact

The darkness envelops me, providing an oddly soothing sensation. I sense the recollection of control, paired with a surge of boundless potential coursing through my being. It was an exhilarating feeling. To have complete mastery over my body, soul, and destiny. Sitting up, I opened my eyes and witnessed a dull scene unfolding before me.

I found myself lying on a thin mattress supported by unfamiliar dark logs, within a wooden room devoid of any adornments except for a solitary window that offers the boring view of a wall and a closed door leading to what I guess to be a main hall.

In a swift glance, I absorbed as much information as possible before returning to my previous position with shut eyes. Contemplating my next move, I conclude that gathering information should be my initial step. Judging by my clothes, I seemed to be in some kind of hospital, indicating that someone may check on me periodically. I decided to wait for their entry and use that opportunity to delve deeper into my investigation.

Hours pass while I remain alone in the room. I could have gathered a wealth of knowledge during this time, but I exercised caution. Acting hastily will undoubtedly lead to undesirable consequences. After all, the knowledge I hold is very limited, any wrong move could get me killed. While I was pondering how I could further my knowledge of where I found myself, I suddenly heard the door creak open.

"This is him, sir. The guards discovered him outside the walls, battered and cut. We managed to mend his wounds but are unsure how to proceed once he wakes up..."

The voice belongs to a female, and based on the voice's origin, I estimate her height to be about three-fourths the size of the door, approximately 1.6 meters. Physically, the inhabitants of this world seem somewhat familiar to my own.

"Hmm... how peculiar. So, his Duranian hasn't awakened yet? Very well then, we shall allow him to participate in the Duranian Awakening Ceremony. He doesn't appear to be a threat, in fact, he'll be a big help, at least according to my Fruit. Unless he has a Fruit of Iron Class or higher, which I highly doubt, we should be safe."

"I understand... but sir, what should I do once he awakens?"

"Ah, yes, although I highly doubt he possesses a high-ranking Fruit... just to be cautious, exercise utmost scrutiny in your judgment. If anything seems amiss, contact me immediately."

"Understood, sir. Well, I'll be on my way now. I have other patients to attend to," she says as I hear the sound of hurried footsteps gradually fade away. However, the man remained in the room. I could feel his intense gaze fixed upon me as he muttered something intended only for his own ears.

"I sense that you will add an interesting twist to the next generation... just remember not to step out of line, or things could turn unpleasant for you."

With that final statement, he exited the room, closing the door behind him. My eyes spring open. With the door closed, I decided to jump into action.

Swiftly and skillfully, I hoisted myself out of bed and leaped toward the window, attempting to catch a glimpse of the surroundings beyond this room. But despite my efforts from various angles, all I managed to obtain was a narrow side view of what seemed to be the main street of the town I resided in.

"Damn, I can't gather any information like this. However, the earlier conversation did provide me with valuable knowledge. From their conversation, I can figure that this body isn't from this town. This means I can take on any persona I want, and gives me some room for error. Moreover, I've been granted access to some significant event. I need more information, but It's too risky to venture independently from this room... In that case, I shall rely on my expertise: Deception."

I settled back into bed, assuming the same position as before. And after carefully relaxing my body as if in a deep slumber, my mouth suddenly opened with unparallel vigor. My lungs filled with an abundance of air and using this newfound oxygen, I braced myself while contracting my lungs.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

The deafening cry, resembling the anguish of a person being subjected to untold torment, echoes throughout the entire building, and not soon after it dissipated, the sound of hurried footsteps approaching me followed. I swiftly jumped out of the bed's thin sheets and stood atop it, panic etched across my face. Slowly beads of cool sweat trickled from my forehead to my chin before cascading onto the sheets below. While I frantically looked around the room, the door suddenly busted open.

Three individuals entered the room, two men and one woman. They donned robes adorned with intertwining red and brown lines, with stone-patterned belts securing their attire. Apart from this distinctive garment though, nothing else stood out.

I turned my gaze toward them, my face a mask of fear. Struggling to articulate myself, I manage to utter a few terror-stricken words, "Wh-who are you, and where am-am I?"

The previously tense atmosphere gradually dissipated as my stuttering words resonated with them. One of the two men sighed, releasing all tension from his body before responding to my inquiry, "We are Fruit Cultivators, and you find yourself in the Wood and Fire Fairy Sect. I understand that your last memory must have been traumatic, but please know that we saved and healed you. We are not your enemies."

He offers a comforting smile, causing the other two to release their guard. My face begins to relax as if gradually accepting the reality of the situation.

"So... you people saved me? Then I must express my gratitude. I apologize if my earlier actions startled you all. I was merely in a state of panic, nothing more," I articulate, skillfully presenting a façade of genuine remorse. By revealing my vulnerability followed by a display of competence, I aim to establish a connection with them, fostering trust and minimizing suspicion.

The man from before chuckled softly before saying to me with his hands behind his head, "Ha, it's alright. I'm just glad you're mentally sound. I hate to burden you so soon after awakening, but could you answer a few questions for us?" I nod in response, and he proceeds with a bit more serious face, "Where are you from? And do you recall your name?"

That's a tricky question. Fortunately, I remember the name associated with this body, though that's the extent of my knowledge. I'll have to take a risk, but it's the only thing I can say in such a situation.

"My name... It's Quis Quiliae. And as for my place of origin... I-I don't... remember," I reply, attempting to convey a mix of panic and sorrow.

Memory loss. A condition that isn't entirely implausible, considering the recent assault I supposedly endured.

The trio exchanged glances, and after nodding to each other, the woman addressed me, "If you have indeed suffered memory loss, then there's no point in dwelling on it. You seem like a decent person, so let me tell you something. Tomorrow marks the day of the Duranian Awakening Ceremony," she echoed the words spoken by the man earlier.

"The Duranian Awakening Ceremony?" I gaze at her with a hint of confusion, prompting a surprised reaction.

The man who questioned me gave me a sympathetic look before exclaiming with a hint of playfulness, "Wow, if you don't even recall that, you must have taken quite a blow to the head! The Duranian Awakening Ceremony, as the name implies, is a ceremony where your Duranian undergoes a transformative process..." His explanation trailed off as he noticed my deepening confusion at the mention of the word "Duranian."

"...I'm at a loss for words. Hey, Florence, could you fill him in? After all, you scored the highest on the written exam in school."

The smaller-statured man, Florence, nodded in agreement and began to speak.

____________________________________________

The scorching sun that once dominated the sky was replaced by the frigid gaze of the moon, enveloping the outside world in a somber slumber. Inside my room, the oil lamp flickered with light, its warm glow illuminating every nook and cranny. Resting upon my bed, my mind raced with thoughts, a deluge of contemplation. After five minutes of mental deliberation, I concluded:

"I have been reborn in a world that cultivates Fruits. The Duranian is the key to this cultivation. Tomorrow, I shall attend the Duranian Awakening Ceremony and activate my Duranian, embarking on a journey of cultivation."

Naturally, I managed to extract additional information from Florence, but this was the crux. I shifted to my side and extinguished the oil lamp, surrendering myself to the embrace of the bed. An exasperated sigh escaped my lips as I reminisced about my previous world.

'How peculiar... this world differs greatly from my previous one. Power relies solely on one's own abilities, not the blessings of deities. I also suspect that the golden strawberry I consumed earlier was one of the so-called 'Fruits' of this world. But how did it end up in my world, and why?'

Dissuading myself from pursuing such thoughts any further, I shifted my focus toward formulating a plan. Although seemingly straightforward, I struggled to find the right words during the earlier encounter. I had to extract information from the trio, dispel any doubts about my presence, and fabricate a convincing and advantageous persona. It was an exhausting endeavor.

I needed some kind of plan to follow, otherwise, I would make a mistake of some kind. A plan would allow me to improvise easily if I found myself in a bad situation. A plan huh? How long had it been, since I was so weak that I needed to strategize?

A sense of excitement rushed throughout my body. The need to plan out my next moves. The fact that I had come from a state of absolute knowledge to knowing less than a sloth of the nearby jungle. The powerless state I find myself in. It all exhilarates me.

'It's been so long since I've felt this, and maybe that's because I finally find myself in a human body, but still. I truly love this feeling. The feeling that I haven't felt since so long ago. The feeling that pushes me forward, no matter the situation.'

'The feeling of unimaginable anticipation.'